New from 16 Jan 2016! Decathlon , a French mass market sports retailer just opened their first retail store in Singapore (at Chai Chee Technopark). They offer a small range of in-house brand ski apparel and accessories. Recommended for those on a budget or not sure if you are ready to invest. Read about my recce trip where I assembled an entire ski outfit for SGD245.

The basics: Jacket, pants, gloves, beanie, goggles

This post explains the technical features of ski/snowboard-specific clothing so you will understand why people still invest in “the real thing” (other than to look cool). I have also provided some examples of where to buy each item, but these are not exhaustive. Let me know if you find any great websites or shops in Singapore selling ski/snowboard gear (technical gear not winter clothing)! See also my Oct 2015 recce trip to Velocity to find ski/snowboard clothing (big time fail IMHO).

Buy buy buy in Tokyo, Japan (Jimbocho station)

Buying online (very important for tropical skiers/snowboarders!):Yes! Buy online! Some online retailers offer direct shipping to Singapore and the “all in” price including shipping should still be lower than buying in Singapore (assuming you can even find the item in Singapore). For those who don’t, you will have to use a freight forwarding service such as VPOST (yux), comgateway, borderlinx (I use this) or ezbuy (I use this). See step by step instructions for buying online from retailers that do not ship directly to Singapore. I have denoted websites that ship direct to Singapore with a **.

Online ski/snowboard retailers such as Backcountry and Evo (USA): outerwear, accessories, equipment. For the brand-conscious 🙂

Amazon/eBay (USA): New and used outerwear, accessories, equipment (may or may not ship direct to SG depending on seller)

**Asos (UK): I hadn’t noticed until recently when surfing for office wear but they do a large selection (more for men) of odds and ends now, including brand names like Burton, Volcom, North Face, Oakley. However for USA brands don’t forget to compare prices against Amazon (USA).

Taobao (China): Have to ship via an agent but as you know, they have anything and everything. Those who are on moral high ground about buying fake stuff, don’t look here! (Here is a good blog post about buying ski clothes from taobao).

Jacket powder skirt and leg gaiters: Powder skirts prevent snow from getting into your jacket from the bottom, for example when you fall into a big pile of snow or when riding powder and the snow sprays upwards. Leg gaiters are like an inner lining with an elastic cuff that you wrap over your boots to prevent snow from entering via the pant leg. Some have an boot hook or clip for you to fasten to your laces for extra security.

Air vents with mesh (e.g. underarms, inner thighs): It can get very sweaty and hot when trying to dig yourself out after a wipeout. Unlike trekking jackets, ski/snowboard jacket vents have mesh to prevent snow from getting inside.

Big zippers and velcro pockets: For easy access even when wearing gloves. No tiny button things or delicate zippers.

Main types:Either insulated or shell (i.e. only waterproofing without insulation). Insulation may be removable in some jackets for more flexibility (two-piece).

My preference:I have both types but on the whole, I prefer my shell jacket as I seldom use my snowboard gear for apres-ski (too sporty, not my look), and the shell is much smaller to pack. Guys or naturally cool and sporty-looking people might prefer an insulated jacket to use for skiing/snowboarding as well as apres-ski.

Additional tips:In general, boarders dress more baggily than skiers and tend to favour camouflage prints and/or clashing colours. Snowboard pants are baggier not just because snowboarders want to look cool, but also they have to fit around the bulkier snowboard boot.

GogglesWhy buy goggles:Sunglasses are fine for first timers but as you progress you will probably want to buy goggles. Goggles provide wind as well as sun protection, are much sturdier, and can be attached securely to your head or helmet (won’t fly off in a downhill tumble and break/be lost forever).

Main types:Some goggle brands have Asian fit for flatter noses. There are many “technical” features such as interchangeable lenses/colors (for different light conditions) but I suspect that these are marketing gimmicks to some extent……

Additional tips:I have seen many older Japanese men wear goggles over their spectacles, although I am not sure how comfortable this is.

Where to buy in Singapore:In Dec 2015 I saw some Julbo goggles (French sunglass brand) for sale at Northface (Ion Orchard branch) for SGD150-200. These sell on Amazon for USD50-100 depending on model (wider range online). Decathlon (2 models each for adults and kids).

GlovesWhy buy ski/snowboard gloves:Higher degree of waterproofing and insulation as compared to normal winter gloves. Some also have elastic straps to loop over your wrist when not in use, to prevent you from dropping them into the abyss- yes, it WILL HAPPEN (you can observe a good number of glove carcasses when riding the chairlift).

Main types:Mitts (two piece) or gloves

My preference:I prefer mitts as these are generally warmer (fewer seams for the cold to seep through). Downside is that you cannot fiddle with zips or bindings with mitts.

Additional tips (kid-friendly):Buy some spares, these also tend to disappear mysteriously.

Where to buy in Singapore:(not great but usable for the price, about SGD20) Winter Time, Coldwear, Decathlon.

My Burton snowboard mitts (two piece) with elastic loop

Long socksFor insulation (to a lesser extent) and to prevent chafing. As ski/snowboard boots will reach mid-calf, you should get socks that cover your entire calf and do not slip down. You do not have to get a ski/snowboard-specific brand. Socks are not so much for insulation as ski and snowboard boots are already insulated.

Where to buy in Singapore:Any sports shop

Helmet (optional)Why buy a helmet:You lose a lot of heat through your head so you should wear a beanie as a minimum when skiing/snowboarding. Many places in Singapore sell beanies, even Daiso (SGD2). However, a helmet is an even better idea- keeps your head warm + your skull intact. Also great for mounting your GoPro. Attaching cameras to goggle straps is uncomfortable at best, and the cameras tend to move around due to the weight.

Main types:A ski/snowboard helmet is like a skate helmet with insulation inside, and has a strap outside to secure goggles. With/without air vents.

Additional tips:Goggles go outside your helmet or beanie so goggle strap should be long enough to circumvent your helmet.

Air vents can be closed or open (USD99 + USD8.50 shipping from Amazon, Jul 2013)

Snowboard/Skis and boots
Due to the bulky nature of these products I would not advise you to buy online (deadly shipping costs). Furthermore it is better to try them out as a good fit is very important.

Main types:Gazillions.

My preference:After evaluating all the technical details, just give up and buy my favourite color combi. I currently ride a Burton board, traditional camber (bought a boy’s youth model ‘cos I’m petite but I hate the girly graphics on girl’s/women’s boards).

Additional tips:Once you have purchased equipment, you will most probably have to fly airlines that do not have dimension restrictions, such as Cathay and SQ. Note that Japanese airlines have a dimension restriction of 203cm (length+breath+height) which is strictly enforced especially for the international leg. Very bizarre and arbitrary.

Where to buy in Singapore:N/A as far as I know. Carousell or Singapore Snowboarders fb group has the occasional used item. Decathlon offers three models of adult ski boots from their in-house brand (uhmmm, whatevs).

Equipment Bag
If you are planning to fly with your ski or snowboard (which applies to all Singapore residents of course), you will need a bag to store it in. Do note that features like padding and roller wheels do add to your dimensions (see my comment above on dimension restrictions on certain airlines). It is almost impossible for boarders to meet dimension restrictions, and you may choose to just give up on bags altogether and simply use a neoprene sleeve (bindings need to be removed to prevent damage).

Main types:Roller or shoulder sling (or a combination). Padded or sleeve.

My preference:I would recommend a roller bag for two sets of equipment (too heavy to carry) and a shoulder bag for a single set of equipment (easier to navigate subway stairs and snowy paths).

Additional tips:For those of you who “sayang” your belongings a lot, you will want a padded bag to protect the edges of your board from damage. Or you can be cheapo and just wrap your jacket and pants around the edges. When desperate, masking tape helps reduce dimensions (yes not fashionable I know but it works).

Where to buy in Singapore: Decathlon (non-padded ski bag – one model only).

Hi BBanality, great and informative blog you got there. we got some lessons in March this year, but would want the first day at some Free Magic-carpet slope place to get back into the groove the next day, where is a place I can go for some free 2 hours of riding the belt up a gentle slope?

Hi, you’ve got a cool blog! I am going with my 10 year old child snowboarding for the first time in Japan with only 1 lesson planned. Will be doing some skiing as well which we have done once before. For snowboarding, can we use the wrist and knee guards which we currently use for rollerblading? Any other protective gear we need for snowboarding? Thanks!

Hi! TBH i just buy them for their color scheme lol. Even though I have a flat Asian nose, the non-Asian goggles also work for me. if you are wearing a bandana, it will cover up any little gaps on the nose.

Hi, may I ask where did you buy your burton mitts? Can’t seem to find any seller in SG. I can buy online but concern about the size though. To measure palm size is it excluding the thumb? Also, if I want to have another layer of glove on top of the liner, will 0.5 inch allowance be too much or should I stick to the exact size? Tks!

Hi, don’t have to publish this, but thought I’d share with you some lobang since I have been shopping for ski gear!

Carousell is a good place to hunt for gently used ski clothing.

As for ski goggles – you can find a very limited selection at Outdoor Life (i think thas the name) at Velocity. The top floor of Velocity has many shops that sell winter gear too – including base layers, ski jackets, ski pants, ski boots, gloves, gaiters – and the prices can be ok if you get them on sale. Off the top of my head, the shops at Velocity include Columbia, Marmot, Icebreaker and a shop that stocks plenty of Montbell. I have seen Columbia ski gloves going for less than $40, and ski boots going at $60, which beats buying online since you can try them for size and save on shipping.

Another tip for your readers – if you already know you are going in Dec, start shopping in June/July when the stores clear their winter gear from the previous year! this goes for online deals too! backcountry has ski socks going for USD9!